Posted on November 02 2015
No matter where you are on the athleticism spectrum, we guarantee that somewhere out there is the perfect running shoe for you. Finding the best pair of running shoes isn’t necessarily complicated, but it’s not as easy as skipping down to the closest shoe store and picking the first neon-patterned sneakers you find.
If you want to have a healthy long-term relationship with your running shoes, it’s necessary that you do some searching in order to find the perfect match. This search for the most precise pair of shoes for your feet comes down to two main components:
- Where you run
- How you run
Where you run can make all the difference when choosing a new running shoe.
Consider if you will be consistently landing on smooth, hard pavement, or if you will choose to the rockier terrain of a trail.
- Running on the road will require more cushioning to help absorb impact.
- Running on the trail will require more traction control for safety and comfort.
How you run is also extremely important because the way your foot rotates after impact is an important factor when picking out a running shoe. An easy way to figure out your footfall pattern is to look at the bottom of an old pair of shoes to see where the most wear has occurred. There are three main types of rotation, each with a different wear pattern.
- Basic/Neutral Pronation — When your foot rolls inward after your heel hits the ground and shows a pattern of wear at the ball of the foot and heel. This type of footfall results in the ideal impact reduction at landing.
- Overpronation — When your foot rolls too far inward after your heel hits the ground. This can cause knee and joint injury. If you are prone to this type of motion your shoes will show a wear pattern along the inside edge of your shoe.
- Supination — This is the opposite of overpronation and is caused by your foot rotating outward after heel impact. While extremely rare, this type of rotation allows for the worst impact reduction at landing.
Find the Perfect Running Shoe Solution at SRI.
So now that you’ve thought about how you run and where you’ll run, it’s time to pick the best shoe. SRI Shoe Warehouse offers many of the options listed on the 392 best running shoes of 2016.
For basic pronators, the best shoe is neutral, providing gentle shock absorption and side-arch support. Great options offered at SRI include Asics Women’s Gel Cumulus 17 and Men’s Gel Cumulus 17. These sneakers use FluidRide® midsole and ample Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL® Cushioning units to provide maximum comfort and flexibility.
If you need more support because you tend to overpronate, then you may want to consider a stability shoe. A great option offered at SRI is the New Balance Women’s 990 and New Balance Men’s 990. These types of shoes provide firm reinforcement for your arches throughout your run.These shoes would also be a good solution for flat feet that require additional arch support.
For even more control and protection from overpronation, try on a pair of motion control shoes. For women, a wonderful option is the Asics Gel Exalt, while the New Balance 610 trail shoe is a great choice for men. These sneakers provide enough support to keep your ankle rotation on track and still allow you to move freely.
No matter what kind of running shoe is best for your foot, our dedicated and knowledgeable staff offers their assistance at anytime. Contact us with any questions you may have along your shoe discovery journey.